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| FREE ARTICLE |
The Rules on Workplace Wooing
“Very dangerous....”
“A minefield....” “Excellent hunting ground.”
These are just a few comments from a 2001
survey conducted by Workopolis.com, a job-seeking
website. In the same survey, a startling 63
percent of respondents said they had romanced
a co-worker.
Love on the job isn’t quite as taboo as it
was 12 years ago when Anita Hill and Clarence
Thomas put sexual harassment on the global
radar. More singles are taking the risk to
find a mate. And for busy people, falling
for a colleague isn’t hard to understand.
Increasingly, workers are clocking longer
hours and enjoying more relaxed work environments.
While few workplaces have policies on relationships,
a 2002 study conducted by human resources
students at a college in Canada showed that
some guidelines might indeed be needed. Students
uncovered stories about lovers’ quarrels,
bitter breakups and employees using love and
sex to get promotions. The result? Poisoned
atmospheres, resentment and low morale. So,
if you’ve got your eye on the cutie in the
next cubicle, take heed:
• Spill the beans to bosses and co-workers
once you’re an item, says Liz Ryan, a US organizational
consultant who has been featured in Fortune
and USA Today. Secrecy and denial could fuel
gossip and resentment.
• Stay professional and keep the relationship
away from your job. Figure out a strategy
about how you’ll cope with your new romance.
For instance, from the beginning, talk about
how you’ll handle a breakup.
• PDAs (public displays of affection) are
a no-no, says Ryan. Keep the hugs for after
hours.
• All sources agree that it’s a bad idea to
date a boss or subordinate. In such cases,
one partner should find another job or seek
a transfer. How do you make that decision?
Should the person with the lower-level job
and smaller salary be the one pounding the
pavement? Again, discuss this matter openly
and honestly with your love interest.
• Don’t assume anything about your partner’s
comfort level; discuss whether you’ll arrive
at work together, or display photos of you
two with the kids.
• Finally, if your company has a policy against
workplace romances, don’t try to sneak around;
it will put a strain on your relationship
and your job. In this case, one of you should
seek another job.
Free Promotional
and Web-extension Ideas
• Promote this article for an upcoming Labour
Day under the theme “Labour and Love.”
• Canadian media can promote this article
also during National Healthy Workplace Week.
• Conduct an online poll to ask your audience
how they feel about workplace romances.
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more free articles.
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